Something to ponder

[RangerJoe]

The date is the 10th of February, 1943, and these TFs are 11 hexes away from Hong Kong with support units including the 5th Air Force HQ. There was supposed to be another USAAF base force included but one transport was torpedoed at Balikpappen when 4 unescorted Betties snuck in. So I attached the other transport with the other half of the unit to the damaged transport and they unloaded. The TFs stopped to pick up tankers that loaded with fuel for operations out of Manila. These units, including a two USA Base forces, a USAAF base force, plus 3 Aviation support units will provide assistance to the 5th Air Force B-17Es on their way to bomb factories from the Shanghai Nanking area. A powerful escortng cruiser force with the Lexington and Saratoga battle group are led by a 3 DD ASW force.

There are already enough supplies in Soerabaja to repeat this. Once the APAs and LSIs come into play, the invasions are going to start happening. Units are already prepared for the Gilbert Area, the Marshals Islands, the Lae area, NE Borneo, Formosa, and other areas.

[RangerJoe]

I actually saw a Helen fire first!
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIf x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 8000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.176 Sqn RAF with Beaufighter VIf (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes

Some CAP have air radar